Amelia Posted June 11, 2006 Posted June 11, 2006 Cambodian monks allowed to watch Cup Associated Press 11 June 2006 PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - The chief of Cambodia's Buddhist monks is cutting his charges some slack for the duration of soccer's World Cup: they may watch the matches on television, but no cheering or getting excited. And absolutely no betting. The country's holy men - more than 90 percent of Cambodia's 13 million people are Buddhist - normally aren't supposed to watch television, movies or artistic displays. According to Buddhism's strictest tenets, they should abstain from pleasurable activity. Gambling is a major no-no. But monks get as excited as anyone else at the chance to watch soccer's top stars, and Supreme Patriarch Non Ngeth is willing to make allowances for such a special occasion. The games in Germany began Friday and run until the final on July 9. "The monks can watch the games on TV, but they may not bet on the games," the supreme patriarch told The Associated Press. "So far, I have received some complaints that some monks are betting during this World Cup tournament." He also says he urged the country's monks, if they do watch the matches, not to scream or laugh. "Cheering or screaming while watching TV are acts appropriate for children," he said. "Monks may not act like that." Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>
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